Capital Properties FOIL Request Response, Feb 2002

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

AKRF,Inc. 111-115 Broadway,New York,New York

were wrapped in aluminum foil and refrigerated prior to and during transport to the laboratory. The samples were analyzed by Galson Laboratories (Galson) of East Syracuse, New York. Galson is an independent New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) and American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) accredited laboratory. Analytical results did not detect PAHs at concentrations greater than <0.0006 milligrams per cubic meter (mg/m3). PAH levels detected at the project site were well below-OSHA established exposure limits of 0.2 mg/m3 for anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, chrysene, phenanthrene and pyrene. Observed levels were also below the NIOSH RELs for those compounds that have established levels. Table I contains a summary of the laboratory results for PAHs. A complete copy of the laboratory analysis report is included in Appendix A. 2.2 Metals Thirteen metals (arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, nickel, manganese, silver, thallium and zinc) were sampled and analyzed accordance with NIOSH in

Method 7300. The sampling method requires air to be drawn through a 0.8 µm mixed cellulose ester membrane filter utilizing a personal sampling pump. The sampling pump was calibrated, utilizing a rotometer, with a representative sampler in line prior to and after each sample collection. A separate sample utilizing the same methodology was collected for lead at each sampling location. All samples were transported to, and analyzed by, Galson. Analytical results revealed airborne levels of all metals well below OSHA, NIOSH and ACGIH exposure limits. Table II contains a summary of the laboratory results for metals. A complete copy of the laboratory analysis report is included in Appendix B. 2.3 Aldehydes Aldehydes are organic compounds that occur in air as a result of incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons and sunlight-driven photo-oxidation processes. Formaldehyde is used in the production4 per, office furnishings and carpeting. Smog is a major source of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is usually found in the air, and levels are usually higher indoors than outdoors. Formaldehyde in air breaks down easily. Providing ventilation and fresh air is generally recommended to lower indoor levels. Aldehydes were sampled and analyzed in accordance with NIOSH Method 2016. The sampling method requires air to be drawn through a sorbent tube packed with two sections of silica gel utilizing a personal sampling pump. The sampling pump was calibrated, utilizing a rotometer, with a representative sampler in line prior to and after each sample collection. The sorbent tubes were capped and samples were refrigerated prior to and during shipment to the laboratory. All samples were transported to, and analyzed by, Galson. Analytical results revealed airborne levels of aldehydes well below the OSHA and ACGIH exposure limits. Formaldehyde was determined to be present in levels exceeding NIOSH recommended levels in eight locations throughout the project site. The NIOSH recommended level of 0.016 parts per million (ppm) is well below the OSHA exposure limit of 0.75 ppm and the ACGIH exposure limit of 0.3 ppm (ceiling level). Five of the samples revealed a result of 0.02 ppm, two of the samples revealed 0.03 ppm and the remaining sample revealed 0.04 ppm. No specific source of formaldehyde was identified during the investigation. Because the areas sampled were unoccupied and as such the ventilation system was running in a reduced capacity and minimal disturbance of the space had occurred, it is possible that the low levels of observed formaldehyde may be present from office furnishings or carpeting. Table III contains a summary Page 2

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